Karola I. Schmitz, 83, of Festus died Oct. 19, 2020, at Crystal Oaks Nursing Home in Festus. Mrs. Schmitz retired from Schnucks on Feb. 1, 1998. She was born April 1, 1937, in Kitzingen, Germany, the daughter of the late Georg Sebastian and Eva Maria (Hammer) Mark, and became a U.S. citizen on June 12, 1959.
She is survived by her husband of 65 years: Dennis Schmitz, whom she married March 3, 1955, in the U.S. Army Harvey Barracks Chapel in Kitzingen, Germany; two sisters: Eugenie Wirth and Ilse Robeck; two sons: Wayne (Denise) Schmitz and Mark (Lynda) Schmitz; a daughter: Monika (Dale Dunn) Linderer; six grandchildren: Kristina Schmitz, Aaron (Briar) Schmitz, Tyler (Courtney) Schmitz, Gabrielle Schmitz, Alexandra Linderer and Samantha Linderer; two great-grandchildren: Greyson Schmitz and Emmett Schmitz; and numerous other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by a brother: Alfred Mark; and six sisters: Wilma Mark, Klara Mark, Walburga Schuch, Sigrid Kreischatus, Maria Herrlein and Sophie Knorr.
A memorial gathering is scheduled for 9 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at Our Lady Catholic Church in Festus, officiated by Father Gregory Klump. Burial will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Crystal City. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus.